Additional Services

Liming/Grub Control

Grub Control

Weeds, unfortunately, are not the only pests that invade a lawn. Grasses are also vulnerable to attack by a number of insects. Our preventative grub control service is a granular application that is performed in May and early June to prevent your lawn from suffering white grub damage.

Below-ground insects, such as Japanese beetle grubs, billbug grubs and others of their type go after the roots. White grubs are root feeders, so they are generally found after the Spring thaw, in the top 2” of the soil. Damage occurs in early to mid-fall and again in late Spring, as the large grubs feed most actively. Affected areas first appear as drought stressed areas, with a general yellowing of the turf. Heavy feeding results in a total destruction of the root system. The turf may feel spongy to walk on, and the sod can be rolled back like a carpet.

Grubworms are thick, whitish, C-shaped larvae, which are the developmental stage of the May or June beetle or Japanese beetle. They range in size from 1/8 inch to 1 inch long. When the soil warms in late April or May, they come up and start eating at the grass roots. In late June to early July, they come out as the beetle. They stay above ground for a few weeks and then go back into the ground and lay their eggs the first part of August. As temperatures begin to drop in September and October, grub larvae feed voraciously and cause thousands in damage. They are eating the grass roots which in turn kill the turf. If a lawn has more than 10 grubs per square foot, it will probably suffer visible damage. With our application, we guarantee you won’t have grubs.

Grub damage when a lawn is untreated; photo of full grown adult grub.

Note: Birds, opossum, skunks, raccoons and moles will often dig in infested sod or scrape away the sod in search of grubs. Sub-surface insects, such as the grub, are very difficult to control. The best quality material is generally only 95% effective. We CAN prevent turf injury to your lawn from grubs. We cannot guarantee that skunks or raccoons will not disturb your lawn, searching for food.

Liming

Each year, several factors contribute to a declining soil PH factor, which is the measure of acidity or alkalinity in your lawn. These factors include soil leaching, root activity, nitrification and decomposition of organic matter.

Research data by major university authorities recommends applications of lime to correct soil acidity. Lime benefits your lawn in 3 ways:

It neutralizes fertilizer and soil acidity, thus releasing nutrients from the soil for plant use.
It provides calcium and magnesium, essential nutrients for plant growth.
It helps develop and maintain a desirable soil structure for maximum turf growth.

This specially prepared limestone is not the messy, powdery white lime generally used, so it is not unattractive, and it provides maximum benefit to your lawn.

If it has been more than 2 years since you last limed your lawn, you should call our office now and schedule your liming application.

Core Aeration & Over Seeding

Aeration

Mechanical aeration provides an excellent, and probably the only means of correcting or alleviating soil compaction which may be quite serious on many lawn areas. Compaction occurs primarily in the surface area of the lawn. A compacted layer as thin as ¼ to ½ inch can greatly impede water infiltration, nutrient prevention, and gaseous exchange between the soil and the atmosphere. Compaction of this type in the surface layer of soil can be corrected or reduced by the use of suitable aerating equipment.

The practice of core aeration removes cores of soil from the ground approximately 2” to 3” deep, thus creating a void or hole. This allows penetration of air, water and fertilizer into the soil. It promotes healthy root growth and brings bacteria to the surface for better activity in decaying thatch and clippings. They system is very effective and is typically done in the fall prior to the time the ground freezes in the winter. This is a good time to add better seeds to improve the quality and density of your lawn by adding over seeding to your core aeration service.

Winter Feeding

Studies have shown that late fall or early winter is a peak time for lawn feeding.

Even though top growth has slowed or stopped, the roots of grass plants are still growing. Thus by fertilizing late in the year, you are promoting root development, which helps strengthen grass plants and allow them to better withstand winter stress.
Late season fertilization also promotes quicker, more even spring greenup and early top growth, helping to fill in any bare spots or thin area created by winter damage.

For those lawn owners who desire this added optional lawn feeding, we offer and highly recommend a late season granular fertilizer with a high nitrogen source at 10% off from your regular application price.